TankBud

Flame moss

Taxiphyllum sp. 'Flame'

Also known as Taxiphyllum 'Flame', Taxiphyllum sp. 'Flame Moss'

FreshwaterMossDivisionFragmentation

Flame moss (Taxiphyllum sp. 'Flame')
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
Low light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
68–82°F
20–28°C
Max height
3.1 in
8 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Epiphyte
Type
Moss
pH
5.5–8.0
Hardness
2–15 dGH
Spread
5.9 in (15 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Easy
Family
Hypnaceae
Origin
East or Southeast Asia (exact species undescribed)

Overview

Flame moss is an easy, slow-growing moss for hardscape, with a strictly vertical habit that is unusual among aquarium mosses.

Did you know

The twisting, upward spires of Flame moss look like a standing flame. Aquascapers plant it in tight clusters to mimic a green campfire or a row of cypress trees.

Caring for Flame moss

Glue or tie a thin layer of Flame moss to rock or wood and let the spires climb upward. A thick starting pad just shades itself and rots underneath.

It grows in low light with no CO2, though added CO2 speeds it up. Light it evenly from overhead, since side-lit or dim spots make the flames flop sideways and lose their shape. It feeds from the water, so use a liquid fertilizer. It handles soft to moderately hard water, with a pH of 5.5 to 8.

Flame moss grows slowly. Once the spires pass 6 to 8 cm, trim them back to about 3 cm with curved scissors to keep them tight and branching. Pull a clump apart into smaller pieces and tie each one down to spread it.

Good to know

Flame moss is a species of Taxiphyllum in the family Hypnaceae that has not yet been formally identified. It is sold purely under the trade name 'Flame'. Its hallmark is sparsely branching shoots that grow in upright, twisting spirals, in a deep green.

In the wild

Flame moss is believed to come from East or Southeast Asia. Taxiphyllum mosses there grow emersed and submersed on rocks, wood and stream margins.

Common questions

Does Flame moss need to be planted in the substrate?

No. Flame moss grows on rock or wood rather than in the substrate. Tie it on with cotton thread or fishing line, or use gel superglue, until it anchors itself.

Does Flame moss need CO2?

No, but it helps. Flame moss can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Flame moss need?

Flame moss is a low-light plant, and the light that comes with a standard tank kit is enough for it.

How do you propagate Flame moss?

Flame moss propagates by division and fragmentation. Pull a clump apart into smaller pieces and tie each one down. Pieces that break off keep growing, so pulling a clump apart spreads it.

How tall does Flame moss grow?

Flame moss grows to about 3.1 in (8 cm) tall. It grows slowly.

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